This is a weekly - almost - forum for discussion and for the exchange of ideas concerning what it means to be a relevant, growing and more fully committed follower of Jesus. All appropriate ideas and responses are welcome, but everyone is asked to post their thoughts ALWAYS remembering to maintain three principles: (1) Speaking the truth in love. (2) Being devoted to one another in brotherly love. (3) Honoring one another above yourselves.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A Great Analogy for Spiritual Maturity

There are a number of scripture texts that talk about Christ living in and through us. Here are just a couple of examples:

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. - Romans 6:4

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. - Colossians 3:3-4

When one receives the gracious gift of salvation in Christ then the living Christ takes up residence in their life and lives in and through them. As they grow and mature in Him, Christ becomes even more visible in the things they say, think and do.

But what does that really look like? How do you understand it?

Check out this video on youtube that may be the best analogy I have seen in a long time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcsSPzr7ays

If playing wonderful music is analogous to carrying out the mission Jesus gave us in the spirit of love He inspires, maybe this is what it means to grow to maturity in Christ. We become people He plays in and through - somewhat in partnership with Him and somewhat simply being a vessel He can work through.

What do you think of this analogy? Is there a different or better way you would describe it?

8 comments:

This comment is in reply to 713-Wasn't-Me, July30, 2010. M.E. wrote,"Thank you, Jim.You opened my eyes and my mind. I just realized I do not accept the responsibility,(thought I did), because I always add... but....and then state a GOOD(?) reason why I did what I did. It shocked me to realize what I thought was accepting my responsibility was really my excuse."

In this blog, paragraph 4, there is the statement,"As they grow and mature in Him, Christ becomes even more visible in the things they say, think and do." Then there is the question"But what does that really look like?" Reminded me of something I had read in Chuck Colson's ..A Dangerous Grace."In the book there is a discussion of catharsis theory and how art plays into that. He says that art is not a carthasis..just the opposite.Does a really interesting discussion of that, but goes on to say, as Job says, We need to make a covenant with our eyes--and with our ears not to indulge in things that could cause us to sin. Wonder if anyone would recognize us as being christian by some of the things we say and the words we use.Have had some people comment on this very thing and question me as to my thoughts about that just recently. Great lesson in this blog, so needed for all of us, maybe? HSM

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